Surtsey is a quartet from the US Midwest that’s been kicking around since the late aughts. They’ve just released their latest EP, the five-song Nothing Doing – recorded in St. Louis MO, their songwriting was strongly informed by their attendance at the School of Song, specifically under the instruction of Buck Meek (of both Big Thief and solo fame). The result is an interesting and beautiful collection of songs, rooted in country and folk sounds but with indie rock experimentation, thoughtful lyrical cadences, and sweet melodies peppered throughout.
Opening song, “Stick” is a confident declaration of where Surtsey is as a songwriting unit. Right away, they hit you with the phrase “Buffalo nickel,” settling the scene with distinctly Midwestern imagery and honing in the vibes with a sense of vague, history-inspired nostalgia. They double down with a sighing steel guitar lead, woven seamlessly into the song like a ghostly presence. You’ll find that this guitar presence will become a motif throughout the album, and is certainly one of Surtsey’s most defining features. They are not subtle about their country influence either – a perfect, nasal twang bolstered by gentle harmonies lays perfectly atop a folksy groove, embodying their alt-country affect with aplomb.
Song two, “Knot to Force,” is a clear album highlight – a cozy song that finds the band settling smoothly into their alt-country expertise. They continue their Westernesque storytelling with lush, lyrical imagery – “kick[ing] up the dust;” “walk[ing] along the river;” and a reference to ancient equine bones help to build mental imagery of a world where life-living is easy-going. We get further and further away from that reality as we drift into the future, but Surtsey paints an aural picture of a life where you can wander around the wilderness and live life in the present. We’re treated to a deep, in-the-pocket groove (shoutout to the bassist here, I loved his presence) and more stunning harmonies, bringing to mind Pinegrove, Drive By Truckers, or Son Volt.
Those looking for a more upbeat experience will love “T-Shirt (Avalanche).” A snare-driven drumbeat helps the band pivot into a bluegrass shuffle before a gradual decrescendo into something heartfelt and expressive. It’s a seamless transition into track four, “Useful,” where the band settles back into the soft, dynamic mood that they exist most comfortably in. Stabs of chorus-laden guitar peek through one side of your headphones, adding a unique and refreshing texture to the omnipresent steel guitar. My favorite moment on this EP comes around the two-minute mark, where the band lays into a more indie-rock inspired style and play with a unique time signature – perfection.
Surtsey closes things out with the heartstring-puller “Barley & Cherries.” An intimate acoustic guitar provides the backbone here, plucked with purpose in a way that grips you instantly. Keep your ears open for the blue note in the ascending chord progression that kicks off each chorus. They end their EP on an existential note – “becuase the smart man’s got the answers, so what’s the thing that entrances him to be a fool?” If I had to guess, probably love.
You can find Nothing Doing on Bandcamp (below), or, on Spotify and Apple Music. You can also check out their Linktree for lots of other fun goodies.